Read an exclusive collection of articles on recent topics in cardiology, including the link between CKD and atrial fibrillation, promoting self-care in heart failure patients, reducing the risk of CVD, and continuing statin therapy following hospitalization for...

According to national guidelines, patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) should be put on lipid-lowering therapies such as statins during hospitalization. They should continue this treatment even after they are discharged, along with plans for proper diet and exercise. This is a top tier recommendation because studies have shown that lipid-lowering medications and statins, in particular, can dramatically lower the rates of subsequent heart attacks, strokes, and the need for procedures to reopen clogged arteries. Statin Usage Following Acute Stroke Cholesterol-lowering targets have been established by recommendations from the National Cholesterol Education Project Adult Treatment Panel III for patients with documented coronary heart disease and those that have had an ischemic stroke or TIA. For patients who have no other manifestations of atherosclerosis (other than cerebrovascular disease), the latest American Heart Association (AHA)/American Stroke Association (ASA) guidelines recommend intensive lipid-lowering therapy. “We know from prior experience that medications started at the time of discharge are much more likely to be continued by patients in the year after the event,” explains Lee H. Schwamm, MD. “Starting lipid-lowering medications, especially statins, at discharge in appropriately selected patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke or TIA makes good sense and should be considered good clinical practice. “Starting lipid-lowering medications, especially statins, at discharge in appropriately selected patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke or TIA makes good sense and should be considered good clinical practice.” Cholesterol-lowering targets have been established by recommendations from the National Cholesterol Education Project Adult Treatment Panel III for patients with documented coronary heart disease and those that have had an ischemic stroke or TIA. For patients who have...